Call: 01392 678082

Established 2004

Ruddlesden geotechnical

Ruddlesden geotechnical provides ground investigation, geotechnical consultancy and contamination assessment services.

Based in Exeter, but covering the whole of the UK, albeit primarily concentrated in the South West, Ruddlesden geotechnical was formed in 2004.

Ruddlesden geotechnical works on behalf of a wide client base, including local, regional and national housing developers, housing associations, commercial developers, building contractors, structural and civil engineers, architects, building consultants, quantity surveyors, local authorities and private individuals.

Development projects range from single dwellings and extensions to large housing estates, multi-storey flats, offices, industrial units, roads, slopes, schools, hospitals and basements.

The services and projects listed on this web-site provide an indication of those undertaken by Ruddlesden geotechnical, but others are carried out. If your requirement is not readily identifiable on this web-site, please contact us as we may still be able to help you.

  • AGS
  • Constructionline
  • CSCS
  • SMAS
  • ECFC trust

Latest news

Recent projects

  • Latest news

    29 Sep 2026

    Michelmores 5K 2026

    Earlier this month, Team Ruddlesden had another fun evening with at the Michelmores 5k, which is a great event that raises valuable money and awareness for charity, which was Hospiscare this year. Aftwerwards, in what is becoming a bit of a tradition, it was nice to catch up with our friends at AWP, over a few drinks at the Topsham Brewery.And a special congrats to Ian Curnow from Groundsure, but running for Team Ruddlesden, who won a prize for first veteran!

    Michelmores 5K 2026
    Michelmores 5K 2026

  • Recent projects

    Foundation Works Risk Assessment Allows Development to Proceed

    Ruddlesden geotechnical were commissioned to undertake a Foundation Works Risk Assessment for a proposed commercial development within the centre of Cirencester. The development was to include the installation of piled foundations to support the proposed buildings. The Environment Agency were concerned that the installation of the piled foundations could mobilise contaminants within an overlying thickness of made ground into the underlying Secondary A Aquifer (Forest Marble Formation) and potentially cause contamination to the water environment. Ruddlesden produced a Foundation Works Risk Assessment in accordance with the Environment Agency’s published guidance document. This included the production of a detailed conceptual site model (CSM) and identifying the potential scenarios and pollutant linkages that could occur as a result of the piling works. The risk assessment suggested that the piling contractor’s chosen piling method could foreseeably cause contamination of the underlying aquifer, as a result of displacing/ pushing contaminated soils down into it. Following the risk assessment, an alternative (non-displacement/ replacement) method of piling was proposed which would mitigate the risks of contaminating the underlying aquifer. This risk assessment was approved by the Environment Agency and local authorityand allowed the works to continue as proposed.

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  • Recent projects

    Subsidence Investigation, Exeter

    A void was encountered during construction works beneath an existing residential property in Exeter. It was feared that the void might compromise the integrity of the property, as the existing foundations were no longer being supported. Ruddlesden geotechnical were called out on behalf of a consulting engineer to investigate the ground conditions, to assess possible reasons for movement and to provide appropriate remedial recommendations. The Phase 1 geotechnical assessmentindicated that this was likely to be due to a damaged rainwater downpipe, which had resulted in the wash-out of loose fines within made ground, associated with the basement of a historical property, present prior to the construction of the Victorian terrace. A subsequent geotechnical investigation, which comprised hand-held window samples and dynamic probes within the footprint of the existing building, indicated that the made ground was in the region of 3m thick and was present beneath the central and eastern-half of the building. Ruddlesden recommended that, to guarantee the serviceability and integrity of the existing building, the foundations be underpinned on to the underlying breccia using cantilevered mini-piles or the made ground be consolidated using a low-mobility grout.

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